Surviving The Day Job: Six Easy Lessons

Before I became a full-time writer, I had a job counting envelopes. Not colored envelopes or large manila envelopes, mind you, but white #10 envelopes. I had to count them in series of a hundred. Even now I can see them flashing in my eyes as I flipped through them, blinding myself as though I were looking out at a blanket of snow polished by the sun with dilated pupils. At the end of the day I’d leave the office with spots in my eyes.

Why I had to count envelopes for six hours a day, I don’t know (I blocked out most of the experience, I do remember however that the temp agency who gave me the assignment thought it was a perfect introduction to the work world for a recent college graduate — which was cruel as well as delusional); however, I did learn how to cope while I was there and the other day jobs I’ve had. This is how:

1) I threw away the statement: “I’ll be happy when…” Sure I would have been happier if my coworker had stopped adding her pile to mine or I had left that place (screaming in terror) after only an hour of torture. But I needed the money so I fought to be happy about it. I made sure to put the money I earned to good use. Not only was I saving a large chunk for a rainy day and my eventual freedom, but I also traveled to places, bought books I needed (How to Work with People You Can’t Stand was especially helpful) and attended writing workshops. Working with a purpose makes life easier. When you just work to survive, life can be very painful.

2) I didn’t label myself. I once worked in the complaint department of a hospital (a place to which I affectionately refer to as Hell on Earth). When people asked me what I did, I didn’t say I was a lowly clerk working towards a Master’s in Masochism. I said I was a temp. Even when I had a permanent job, I said I was a temp because I knew any situation I was in was only temporary. I was a free agent, nobody owned me. We are all free agents. Bosses can fire us, but we too can walk out the door. I never let myself feel like a prisoner.

3) I stayed away from the gossip mill. It’s fun really. I love stories and gossips tell the best (of course I was also aware that they were talking about me, but oh well) unfortunately, they are a waste of energy. Gossiping about the crappy boss, social climbers, backstabbers and butt kissers is good time poorly spent. Yes, offices have a great cast of characters to talk about, but spending your lunch break complaining all day is not good for the spirit. Take a walk, listen to music, you’re at your present job only temporarily and complaining about being there won’t make you feel any better about yourself or your situation. Remember you’re a temp - your future looks bright. Most of the gossips and complainers will still be there years later, older and more miserable. I know. I’ve gone back. It’s rather sad really.

4) Do your best. I hated counting envelopes. At times I would well up with tears at the thought of facing another day (I did that with most of my day jobs to be truthful); however I was one of the fastest counters there. I made it into a game and set challenges for myself. When you do a good job you are doing yourself a service and things will be pleasant. Work to please yourself. I’ve worked in customer service and I know people can be bleeding obnoxious; however, if you don’t like people, please don’t work in this department. (Yes, I’m speaking to everyone at fast food restaurants, retailers and health care providers. Learn how to smile!)

5) Come up with an escape plan. I don’t believe in endless suffering. If you have an abusive boss or your job is giving your headaches and ulcers, Leave It. I don’t care what kind of money you’re making. Ask for a demotion or start looking in the Want Ads. No job is worth your health. I walked off one job that was completely demoralizing.

6) Live your secret life NOW. At any job I was on I pretended I was an author who was there doing research for my next book. It helped to make the atmosphere more interesting. The woman who ate my lunch (damn those blasted office fridges) and pretended not to know it became a character I poisoned; a boss that liked to make fun of my name became a hobo with a severe speech impediment. I imagined how I would write my autobiography, I would practice my answers for when I was interviewed on TV. My imaginary life made my reality much more exciting. Try it; you’ll be surprised where your imagination can take you.

Sometimes we have to do things we don’t like, but they don’t have to be an agony. I had many jobs that I couldn’t stand, but I knew they were only temporary. Remember: This too shall pass, and your future looks bright.

The Classic Audi Q7

The Audi Q7 has an overall sleek and exquisite look to it. When it was first introduced people quickly took a liking to it. It is not surprising since this vehicle has many luxury options. This will be quite helpful if you have a big family. The vehicle does not only give you luxury and comfort but great style all at the same time. 

The Q7 has a sporty look to it, which makes it quite appealing to many people. The Audi Q7 SUV has a grill that looks great with the painted horizontal strip. Since the grill is narrow it looks less overpowering. The Q7 has a lot of the same features as the Audi Avants. Some of the same features are the high shoulder line, the sloping roofline and many more. All of the features are what make the Audi Q7 classy and sporty all at the same time. The rear bumper gives better function to the turn signals as well as the rear fog lights. 

The Q7 even has a third row seating as an extra option, which can come in handy if you have a big family. The center row can fold back down and slide forward. This can give you better and more space in seating. The third row can fold flat completely on the floor when you are not using it. Not only does this option give you more seating in the vehicle it can also allow for more space to store items on those long road trips. 

Go and check out the Audi Q7 and experience the class and exquisiteness that it can offer. It just might be what you and your family are looking for. It gives you a sporty look, but can still be functional for the whole family, which makes everyone happy.

The Bimmer’s Bavaria

If the Ford Motor Company is the big corporate umbrella which gives shelter to the Buick, Pontiac, and Cadillac among others, then it could be said that BMW AG works the same way for the BMW MINI, and for the Rolls-Royce brands. The Rover also used to be a part of this big mother ship. BMW AG is actually an abbreviation for “Baverische Motoren Werke AG”. This is German for “Bavarian Motor Works”. This company not only manufactures vehicles and cars but also motorcycles as well. The main competitors and competition for this vehicle brand include the Acura, the Alfa Romeo, the Audi, the Cadillac, the Infiniti, the Jaguar, the Lexus, and the Mercedes Benz. 

When it comes to pronouncing the acronym of this company, in its motherland, it is pronounced as “bay emm vay”. However, travel to North American and other regions like Jamaica, the brand is referred to as “bimmers”. Try to refer to BMW motorcycles and the slang for that would be “beamer” or “beemer”. In Greece, the acronym is referred to as “Beba”, in Arab countries it is “BM”, and in Serbia they say “Bembara”. In the English language, BMW AG has a tagline that states, “The Ultimate Driving Machine” and “Sheer Driving Pleasure”. The original slogan, though, for this which is in German is “Freude am Fahren” which when translated to English literally means “Joy in Driving”. 

One of these bimmers is the BMW Bavaria. People who have looked deeper into its lifetime has exclaimed that it is perhaps one of the most misunderstood cars of the whole line up of BMW. It is just known as just a relative of the E9 coupe, and has four doors and that would be it. What most people do not recognize is that this vehicle even has the very same drivetrain with the aforementioned BMW E9 coupe. Their drivetrains hold six cylinders and are actually one of the smoothest in the whole business. Aside from that, this vehicle is one of the most stylish vehicles ever created by the BMW line. If a person has the ability to catch one of these today, it would be considered a great bargain. It has a subtle style and a boundless beauty. This vehicle makes every other vehicle in the market at present look generic and ordinary. 

The BMW Bavaria was a part of the BMW E3 line. This vehicle was the first among its line that held a 3 liter engine. In essence, it was a machine with 2800 cc which had somewhat become a trend during that time among BMW vehicles. However, the difference was that the BMW Bavaria came without the leather upholstery, without the power equipment and without the funky Nivomat self-leveling suspension. Of course, the price did not remain to be the very same as that of the E3s. The price of this vehicle was noticeably lower.